It’s BMO Kids’ Day at the Calgary Stampede today, and along with that hopes for a boost to flagging attendance.
While Tuesday’s TC Energy Day was no slouch for attendance at 152,182, it was still well below last year’s 193,033 for Day 5 at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Thus far, four of the five days at the Stampede have seen attendance below last year, despite having exceptional weather for a day on the grounds.
In total, nearly 750,000 people have hit the Midway (744,165), still putting 2026 on track to reach 1.4 million visitors for the year.
With BMO Kids’ Day ready to roll, kids 12 and under get free admission until 11 a.m. For earlier risers, you can top that off with a free pancake breakfast in the GMC Stadium Courtyard (while supplies last) from 8 to 10 a.m.
As always, there’s lots of action in the infield, as the Calgary Stampede rodeo athletes continued to push for their chance at the big payday on Sunday.
In bull riding, Tristen Hutchings from Monteview, Idaho, who sits atop the PCRA standings, has his eyes set on the prize, riding Carved in Stone to an 88.5 and the boosted day money (9,083.33) due to only three riders staying on.
“Last year I came up just a little bit shy of the of the three-man round Sunday. I tied for third and lost the tiebreaker, so I’ve come back trying to make a short round this year,” said Hutchings, a four-time NFR qualifier.
In saddle bronc, Gus Gaillard from Morse, Texas, hopped aboard Mary Lou and scored a 90 to capture top spot on the day. In bareback, Bradlee Miller from Huntsville, Texas, hung on for an 88 atop Blue Bells.
Breakaway roping saw Cheyanne McCartney from Kingston, Oklahoma, clock a blistering 2.5 to take the day money, while Hayle Gibson-Stillwell from Redcrest, California, was lightning fast at 16.89 to win the day in ladies barrel racing.
Herrin Hunter from Apache, Oklahoma, locked in a 7.7 in tie down roping to score the day victory and also keep him atop the leaderboard for a shot at the weekend. Trisyn Kalawaia from Hilo, Hawaii, took down the steer in four seconds flat to capture day 5’s top money in steer wrestling.
PHOTOS BY SEAN LIBIN / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
On the Rangeland Derby track, Jason Glass (Birchcliff Energy) ripped around the track in a 1:10.45 to score the day’s top time and a $6,500 cheque. Meanwhile, Jamie Laboucane (Panorama Advisory Group) stayed atop the cumulative standings with a total run time of 6:00.38, with Chanse Vigen (Lethbridge Lodging Association) a little more than half a second behind.
In the Enmax relay races, In It 2 Win It overtook Pool A leader Poitras Relay, with a time of 3:05.46, and a total of $7,900 in earnings.
For the musically inclined, Day 6 at the Stampede brings Bailey Zimmerman (10:30 p.m.) and Jade Eagleson (8:45 p.m.) to Nashville North. The Coca-Cola Stage has Chingy at 8:30 p.m. and the Big Four Roadhouse has Johnny Reid at 9 p.m.
It’s also Junior Reporter Day on the grounds, and we’ll be peeking in on the budding journalists, with more to report later today.
Finally, if it’s food you’re after, the Calgary Stampede started crowning its top new Midway foods, with Dragon Balls from Viet Grill winning the best healthier alternative in the gluten free category. In the vegetarian category, it was the Ramen Donut by Wok This Way.
See you at the Stampede!
